Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne gets recognition for advancement of arts

Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne has been presented the 2012 "Public Leadership in the Arts Award" by the National Lieutenant Governors Association and Americans for the Arts, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the arts in the nation. Dardenne was given the award in Chicago at the recent convention of the lieutenant governors group. The award honors public officials who have demonstrated leadership in the advancement of arts at the state level.

View full sizeEliot Kamenitz, The Times-Picayune archiveLt. Gov. Jay Dardenne was photographed at the Historic New Orleans Collection in May 2011.

Robert Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, said Dardenne was being honored for his role in promoting the creation of "cultural districts" in 34 towns and 24 parishes across the state that helped spawn 682 new businesses, including 168 with ties to arts and culture.

"Lt. Gov. Dardenne has been a true champion for the arts in Louisiana," Lynch said in a news release. "His belief that the arts are a vital economic driver, his leadership and his dedication to supporting Louisiana's vibrant arts industry make him the perfect choice" for the award. Dardenne said he accepted the award as a "tribute to the artistic legacy of Louisiana."